School Counselor Hourly Pay in Bellevue, WA: $42.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a school counselor working in Bellevue, WA runs $42.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,143 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 21-1012). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,892 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Washington, the school counselor hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $42.38 in 2026, significantly exceeding the national hourly median of $30.93. This competitive rate reflects the city's higher cost of living and the level of expertise required in this role, especially in multiple settings such as elementary and high schools, where counselors address varying student needs. For those working part-time—perhaps three days a week—this rate translates into a robust income while allowing for a more flexible schedule. Entry-level counselors may earn around $28.04 per hour, while the most experienced could make as much as $65.68 per hour, providing a wide economic range. Importantly, these figures are derived from the annual salaries of school counselors, suggesting solid financial opportunities for both professionals committed to long-term roles and those looking for per-diem work in supporting student mental health initiatives.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
School Counselor Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.04 | $224.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32.47 | $259.78 |
| Median (P50) | $42.38 | $339.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.24 | $433.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.68 | $525.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $42.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.38/hr, a school counselor working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, WA can expect to earn approximately $88,153 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,858. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,695.25 | $7,346 | $88,153 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,017.15 | $4,408 | $52,892 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $678.10 | $2,938 | $35,261 |
Compare SC, LSC Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| School Counselor (Bellevue) | $42.38 |
| Mental Health Counselor (National Avg) | $28.69 |
| Social Worker (National Avg) | $29.33 |
| Elementary School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.79 |
| Instructional Coordinator (National Avg) | $36.21 |
School Counselors in Bellevue, WA earn a median of $88,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.01% higher than the national median of $64,335 and 6.10% above the Washington state average of $83,075.
School Counselor Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.38/hr = $52,892/year (purchasing power: $49,248).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,153/year (purchasing power: $82,079).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$36.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for School Counselors in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.05% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for school counselors in Bellevue grew 12.8% from $36.82/hr (2019) to $41.53/hr (2025). At a 2.05% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem school counselors can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.05% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly School Counselor in Bellevue
Considering the part-time earning potential in Bellevue, a school counselor working three days a week, or 24 hours, could expect an annual income of approximately $52,000, significantly less than a full-time salary. While per-diem school counselors typically charge upwards of $150 to $400 hourly for specialized consulting, this reflects a more lucrative avenue absent from K-12 roles. Extended school year programs can add considerable earnings—an additional $5,000 to $15,000—making summer counseling a viable option for supplemental income. Furthermore, the compensation structure varies significantly across different employer types, including public school districts, charter schools, and private institutions. Some school counselors may opt for lower hourly wages tied to benefits such as health insurance, resulting in a complex trade-off between immediate financial gain and long-term employment stability. Understanding this dynamic can help prospective counselors effectively negotiate their rates, especially given the evolving mental health funding landscape post-COVID, which seeks to address the high counselor-to-student ratios still prevalent in many districts.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed.
Content Lead
Maria has over 10 years of experience in school counseling. She specializes in academic and emotional support for high school students. She works at a public high school in California.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.05% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for school counselors in Bellevue. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bellevue is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.05%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for school counselors (SOC 21-1012).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, M.Ed., a licensed school counselor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov